Fire-proof floor



4um Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 1. '0. W. NORCROSS.

` PIRE P11001 FLOOR. No. 417,500. Patented Devo. 17, 1889.

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-0. W.'1\I01wRoss,4 PIRE PROOF FLOOR.

UNITED STATES y VPATEnVr OFFICE.

ORLANDO YV. NOBO/ROSS, OF VORGESTER, MASSACI'I'IISFITS.

FIRE-PROOF FLOOR. I

` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,500, datedDecember 1'?, 1889.

Application .filed February 4, 1889. Serial No. 298,604. (No model.)

To all whom t 71am/ concern:

' Beit known that I, ORLANDO W. NOROROss, of the city and countyofVVorcester, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Fire-Proof Floors; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthisspecification, and in which- Figurelrepresentsavertical section throughpart of a floor embodying my'improvements, taken lengthwise of thesupporting beams or joists. Fig. 2 is asimilar section taken crosswiseof said beams or joists. Fig. 3 represents a mod iiication of theconstruction shown at the bottom of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a perspectiveView, upon an enlarged scale,`of one of the wire fasteners for securingthe ceilinglathing strips, hereinafter described, to the bottoms of thebeams or joists.

My invention relates more particularly to floors supported by iron beamsemployed in the construction of large and what are commonly termedlire-proof buildings, but is also applicable to other classes ofbuildings.

The object thereof is to produce a floor which shall be [ire-proof,(aside from the usual planking or flooring on top,) as well as light andstrong, and of cheap construction.

It consists in the combination of Various old elements,as herein afterdescribed,whereby said results'may be attained.

Following is a detailed description of my said invention with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

The parts marked A A represent two ordinary iron floor beams,which maybe fastened in position to support the other parts of the floor in theusual way. Upon the tops of said beams are in practice laid over thewhole surface of the floor a covering of corrugated l sheet-iron B,wththe various sections preferably overlapping one another at the joints,as indicated at a in Fig. l. The lining-door O, preferably of plank, islaid on -top of said corrugated iron, and upon said plank is in turnlaid the ordinary top flooring D, as usual.

By employing the corrugated iron over the iron beams, as aforesaid, theplanking or lining floor may be laid in any desired direction andclinched under the corrugated sheet-iron.

If desired,a layer E, of paper or some kind of lire-proof material, maybe placed between the lining and top flooring, and thus serve as anadditional safeguard against fire.

To the bottoms of the iron beams are fastened Wood-lathing strips F, ofproper shape and thickness to receive and hold the plaster G, saidstrips being fastened to the ianges of the beams by means of suitablewire nails or other fastening devices H, adapted tobe driven into thestrips and hooked over the beams, as best shown in Fig. 2. Nails madefrom Wire of substantially tbe shape shown in Fig. 4 are preferable forthe above purpose. strips aboutv seven-eighths of an inch thick, eightto twelve inches Wide, and provided with a series of dovetail-shapedgrooves b, as shown in Fig. l, are also preferable Vto plaster upon; butI do not limit myself thereto, as other shapes may be employed to effectthe same result, an instance of which is shown in Fig. 3 in saidmodified construction, narrower strips being shown with square groovesco at the sides, and a dovetail-shaped 'groove b at the centerunderneath. When the shape first 'described is used, it is preferable toprovide the strips in line. with each groove with a series of verticalair-vents d to allow the 'air to pass out, and thus permit the plasterto be pressed up and completely lill said grooves.

If desired, additional protection against fire may be obtained byplastering between the beams over the top surfaces of the`lathingstrips, as is indicated in Fig. 3, as well as upon the bottomthereof. Said provision is not essential, however, and I do not limitmyself thereto.

It is a well-known and established fact that Wooden IOC Wood coated withmortar or plaster is one of the best and most effectual barriers againstthe progress of fire, this fact having been deinonstrated in manypractical instances Where Wood-work thus protected has been foundafterdisastrous res in a comparatively unitnpaired state. For thisreason I have adopted i this old and Well-known construction as a partof my improved combination.

A tloorconstructed in the manner hereinbefore specified, it will beobvious, would be absolutely fire-proof and serve as an effectualfire-stop between one story and another, except in case ot' a generaleontlagration, no wood-work being directly exposed, except the topflooring, and in case ot' said loor burning away the downward course ofthe fire would be stopped by the layer of corrugated sheet metal, thusresulting in but triiing damage to the building. Then again bydispensing with the usual lire-brick, earthenware, and similar archesbetween the iron beams comi monly employed in the construction of atireproof floor or roof, I find I am enabled to reg duce the weight ofsuch Afloors thirtylive i pounds per square foot, the corrugated metal iserving not only as a protection against fire, but also as a support forsaid floors. Furthermore, 1 am also enabled to place the iron beamsconsiderably farther apart with safety, and in consequence thereof andthe other provisions to materially reduce the cost oi such fire-prooffloors.

It will be understood that the invention is not confined to Hoors, butmay be employed as well in the construction of roofs and other placesrequiring` a like protection.

Having described said invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

rlhe girders A, in combination with the corrugated sheet metal I3, theusual wood Iiooring, the lathiug F, fastened to the bottoms of thegirders by suitable clamps ll, and plaster G, the sheet metal B beinglaid on top of said girders under the wood flooring, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

ORLANDO \V. NORROSS.

Iitnessess A. A. l-ARKEn, W. l. NoURsE.

